‘State sponsored Homophobia: A World Survey’
ILGA has, for the third year, provided a comprehensive overview of findings from a global survey of a state sponsored homophobia. With detailed descriptions of specific legislation for each country that does not allow same-sex rights, this report serves as a reference tool to understand the global opinions of same-sex relations.
In the past 5 years, same-sex rights have made great progress. Not only have 8 countries legalised marriage in the past 5 years, but also 22 countries or states have legalised same-sex marriage or offered couples some rights of marriage. Also, with a current 10 countries which allow same-sex adoption, 7 of them have legalised this in the past 5 years. Unfortunately, more than 80 countries around the world still consider homosexuality illegal and 5 of them – Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen – and in parts of Nigeria and Somalia, homosexual acts are still punishable by death. Alongside the report, a colour-coded map of LGBTI rights around the world is available.
In the light of this data, it is encouraging and worth noting that the season of Gay Pride events is about to conclude around the world. While the actual Stonewall day is on the last Saturday in June, gay pride events are now held on different dates in a variety of countries – starting as early as May and going on until August. The events usually comprise of street fairs, parades, parties and cultural events, often happening over several weeks. Different mottos point to current issues that still need to be resolved (e.g. adoption rights or tax systems in the West, or basic human rights in other countries). In countries where equality has widely been reached for the LGBT community, the events tend to be less political while they often still point to existing bias against homosexuals in everyday life or in the workplace.
For a full copy of the report and map, contact office@european-diversity.com.
